I wish your son the very best! I see we have a few Marines here!

I served in the Marines. Last unit HMM-165 when it was just CH-46's. Lady Ace 09, the Phrog on display at Miramar was in my squadron. In fact I knew then Capt Berry who retired Colonel Berry and dedicated it after restoration. LtCol R.P.Bland was our CO in HMM-165 when we were in K-Bay. Capt Berry was in our squadron when 165 got moved to MAG-24 and the CH-46 pilot who landed on the embassy in Saigon and lifted Ambassador Martin off as the NVA were coming in to take over. That was Operation Frequent Wind. Great guy! LtCol Bland got the Silver Star for a bad ass extraction of a Force Recon team pinned down by NVA years earlier when he was flying 46's with the Purple Foxes. One tough CO but great guy! Loved being on the Ma Deuce in his bird and tearing it up on gun runs out over the pacific!

God bless your son Marine! I wish him the best in his Army career! Thanks to both for serving! Like you I am sure he will recall his good times with his Army buddies years from now! Best...

Proud parents! :you_rock: Thank you both for serving our country. God Bless!

It's been 4 months ... over there ...
 

It's been 4 months since I've updated the status of my son.

Let's just say, you know your not in La Jolla when the weather prediction is :

112 and Widespread Dust

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...Over-there.jpg

Deployment almost over
 

The extended stay over in the sand box is almost over.

My son turns 20 in just a week, and has already served 9 months in Afghanistan.

He's met some great locals, had some interesting missions, but also lost some fine young fellow soldiers and questioned our mission over there, but continues to fight for our freedom.

Should be returning to the states in just a few more weeks !!!

Here's to your son and all our soldiers coming home soon and safe.

God speed on his return.

Tell him thanks for his service! It's people like him that make us sleep better at night.

Cheers

Steve

Did a few LONG months in Bosnia in the early nineties and 6 months in Iraq AFTER the first war, babysitting and recovery missions... I know how excited he is to come home and how crazy excited YOU are to have him home! I know the dust... it aint fun. I also know about questioning the mission... too well.

He is appreciated for his service.

Go Army! Hooah!

Congrats

God bless, may he return home safely

BACK ON AMERICAN SOIL !!!
 

If you've never been to a Military welcome home ceremony, or seen it on video, it really touches the heart and makes you appreciate what we have, and what they gave up for 9+ months, or the ones they left behind..

The flight leaves Afghanistan on one day, and after a day of flying, a few stops here and there in different countries, it then refuels on the East coast before heading into Texas at 3am. After turning in weapons at the airfield upon their return, they are then bused to the Ceremony field.

They exit the bus out of site from the bleachers, form up, and then the buses leave, revealing our troops. The troops then march to the stands, a few brief moments of procedures, then ..... 3, 2, 1 CHARGE, and the crowd engulfs the field to welcome home the troops.

http://youtu.be/AvItDiwi7D4

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Congratulations Greg and family.

Welcome Home, now get him on some fish!

Congratulations! Nothing is more important than to serve this great country. You and your family must be very proud. Semper Fi